Recent advances in tea and other plant polyphenol biomaterials for antibacterial and disease treatment

Plant polyphenols are secondary metabolites that play a crucial role in plant resistance to environmental stressors, and exhibit a variety of health benefits for the human body. In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on the health effects of plant polyphenols, including tea polyphenols, and curcumin. These compounds possess antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as the ability to regulate Reduction-Oxidation (REDOX) processes and metabolism. However, the instability of the phenolic hydroxyl structure in plant polyphenols results in low bioavailability, which limits their application in health food and biomedicine. Advances in assembly chemistry and nanotechnology have established a foundation for the construction of stable polyphenol biomaterials, thereby enhancing their biological effects. This review focuses on the development of plant polyphenol-based biomaterials, including self-assembled polyphenol nanoparticles, polyphenol-based eutectic systems, polyphenol hydrogels, and polyphenol chitosan, for applications in antimicrobial activity, drug delivery, and disease treatment. The aim is to explore the latest research advancements in plant polyphenol biomaterials and to promote the application of these natural compounds in the fields of food and biomedicine.